Investigation of recovery characteristics after ion bombardment on scandate cathode

The scandate cathode has excellent electron emission capability. However, applications in vacuum electron devices are limited because of nonuniform emission and weak resistance to ion bombardment. A new method has been adopted for making scandate cathode. This type of scandate cathode showed more uniform emission and fast recovery characteristics after ion bombardment comparing with conventional impregnated scandate cathode. The results of XPS analysis before and after ion bombardment are presented.